my top five OLB's

[Ochmed Jones]

Here is a question for you all,

The Dolphins have two older OLBs in Porter and Taylor,
Isn't Parcells "the man that loves LBs" going to be in the same market drafting LBs?

He'll be picking the same type of player, Something to consider??

Parcells needs a NT in the worst way. (Wilfork via FA)

However Parcells true gift is developing guys to play OLB. He has done it just about everywhere he has been.

 

[ayjackson]

Parcells needs a NT in the worst way. (Wilfork via FA)

However Parcells true gift is developing guys to play OLB. He has done it just about everywhere he has been.

Parcells developed Ware, but he was a Jones pick - Parcells wanted Spears (and got him with their second first rounder). Spencer was chosen and developed by Phillips.

I don't disagree with your assertion, though, I'm just fond of pointing out the Ware tidbit.

 

[sg14]

Mayo mention Miami could use a ILB. I know you want McClain. We want our team to be strong up the middle, NG, Inside LBs and safety. (The saying is true for baseball, also).

So what direction do you think Miami is going?
Boy, if they got Wilfork and McClain that would hurt us, double.

How far up do we have to go tho get McClain, and what will it cost?

Parcells needs a NT in the worst way. (Wilfork via FA)

However Parcells true gift is developing guys to play OLB. He has done it just about everywhere he has been.

 

[TriplecHamp]

He's nothing like Willie. And if you watched the BCS Championship Game, you'd have seen 'Bama running right at him. To the tune of about 100 yards or more.

Looks like you need to go watch the game again, Ingram got most of his yards inside between the LG/T and LG/C and LT. Ingram ate up the left side of the line, Kindle was a beast on the other side with 8 tackles and 2 sacks.

 

[Boston Boxer]

after doing some film study on the top OLB's here are my top five that can come in and make a impact now for the pats




#1 Sergio Kindle, texas 6.4 255lbs has the size and strength that BB is looking for in a LB to set the edge in the run game. he is not just a speed rusher but he was able to push the LT in to the QB a few time the pats can use a LB with some power. comparison. willie mcginest,


#2 Jerry Hughes, tcu 6.3 257lbs maybe the best speed rusher in the draft. and has the most up side of all the LB's but dose not have the strength. to set the edge in the run game he will get washed out a lot by nfl LT's he would not be a every down LB for the pats as a rookie. comparison demarcus ware,


#3 Eric Norwood, sc 6.1 253lbs i don't know if he can set the edge but he looked good vs the run and the best pure pass rusher of the LB's IMO dose not have the up side of Hughes, but he rushs the QB with speed and strength not just speed. comparison. Elvis Dumervil,


#4 Brandon Graham, Michigan 6.2 263lbs has nice size and strength should be able to set the edge he's pretty good vs the run and has a good first step as a pass rusher. comparison. LaMarr Woodley,


#5 Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida 6.6 265lbs he is a project but the type of freak athlete that will set the combine on fire and get him self in the top 10 comparison. julius peppers,

I am a big Jerry Hughes fan...would love that pick!

 

[patsfan-1982]

Wow! It's nice to know that this draft has Willie McGinnest, Demarcus Ware, Julius Peppers, LaMarr Woodley, AND Elvis Dumervil. Strongest draft ever! I would trade my whole draft, maybe even both #1s from next year, if we could get a young Willie Mac on one side and DeMarcus Ware on the other.

lol im not saying that any of dose LB's will be as good as williy mac or ware. when i seen them rush the QB thats who they looked like to me

 

[patsfan-1982]

If you want to find the OLB's in this draft that have the best chance to succeed in the NFL, you need to scan through the scouts write ups and find the guys with the following words in the review:

1.) SUDDEN
2.) Explosive
3.) Great first step
Guys with words like this are what BB needs. Otherwise all we get are younger versions of Derrick Burgess.

i get what your saying but haveing a younger burgess, is not a bad thing he had 35 sacks he's first 3 years with oakland

 

[mayoclinic]

Looks like you need to go watch the game again, Ingram got most of his yards inside between the LG/T and LG/C and LT. Ingram ate up the left side of the line, Kindle was a beast on the other side with 8 tackles and 2 sacks.

Perhaps, but BritPat is right. Kindle is nothing like Willie McGinest in terms of his style of play. And Jerry Hughes plays nothing like DeMarcus Ware in terms of his style, as far as I can see.

 

[patsfan-1982]

Here is a question for you all,

The Dolphins have two older OLBs in Porter and Taylor,
Isn't Parcells "the man that loves LBs" going to be in the same market drafting LBs?

He'll be picking the same type of player, Something to consider??

Jason Pierre-Paul, is built. like jason taylor, he may take him


but the cards. the packers. the browns. the jets. 49ers will all so be looking for a 3-4 OLB and washington may go to the 3-4 this year


but it looks like a deep draft for OLB's if BB can't get one this year then he just dose not know how to draft a LB and i don't think thats the case.

 

[carolinatony]

Watching today's game and seeing the Jets SACK Manning...I am jealous.
Hope we take more than one OLB.
Man; what a pass rush can do for you!

 

[mayoclinic]

it looks like a deep draft for OLB's if BB can't get one this year then he just dose not know how to draft a LB and i don't think thats the case.

Next year should be equally solid for DE/OLB pass rushers:

- Richard Quinn, North Carolina (junior) - 6'5", 260#, timed in 4.51 speed; former 2 time state wrestling champion, described by his coach as a "player without an ego". Has broken all of Julius Pepper's school speed/strength records for a DE.

- Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh - 6'6" 265# - would have challenged Carlos Dunlap as my top strongside pass rusher this year

- Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma - 6'3", 253#, came to Oklahoma as a LB, makes plays all over the field

- Aldon Smith, Missouri (red shirt sophomore) - 6'6" 255#, defensive freshman of the year in 2009.

- Von Miller, Texas A&M - 6'3" 240#. Led the NCAA with 17 sacks as a junior. Needs to bulk up and get stronger against the run.

 

[MaineMan]

Watching today's game and seeing the Jets SACK Manning...I am jealous.
Hope we take more than one OLB.
Man; what a pass rush can do for you!

Well, both sacks were by David Harris looping from the ILB spot. But your point is still well-taken.

 

[mayoclinic]

If you want to find the OLB's in this draft that have the best chance to succeed in the NFL, you need to scan through the scouts write ups and find the guys with the following words in the review:

1.) SUDDEN
2.) Explosive
3.) Great first step
Guys with words like this are what BB needs. Otherwise all we get are younger versions of Derrick Burgess.

Do you think that's true given what BB looks for in a 3-4 OLB? None of those things have anything to do with the ability to set the edge, read and react, drop into coverage, clog the passing lanes, etc. Mike Vrabel had none of those attributes.

On the other hand, if you're looking for the next James Harrison or Elvis Dumervil, it's a great recipe.

 

[TheComeback]

Brandon Graham strikes me as a perfect fit for the Patriots at OLB. He's got the burst to rush the passer, he's smart, and most of all he's excellent at setting the edge and stopping the run. The guy makes plays in every game. He's shorter than what BB usually looks for, but at 266 lbs he has more than enough bulk. I'd be very pleased if we landed him at 22 or the 2nd round.

 

[mayoclinic]

Brandon Graham strikes me as a perfect fit for the Patriots at OLB. He's got the burst to rush the passer, he's smart, and most of all he's excellent at setting the edge and stopping the run. The guy makes plays in every game. He's shorter than what BB usually looks for, but at 266 lbs he has more than enough bulk. I'd be very pleased if we landed him at 22 or the 2nd round.

He has one issue (his height), and one big questionmark: how good is he playing in space and dropping into coverage. Is he fluid enough, and are his hips loose enough? If the answer to those questions is "yes", then everything you say is true. If "no", he's not a good fit.

 

[mayoclinic]

FWIW, here's a draft profile on Ricky Sapp from The Huddle Report:

Ricky Sapp DE Clemson

TALENT BOARD - Round 4

STRENGTHS

Ricky is a very athletic defensive end. He shows a good burst off the ball and has nice change of direction skills. He has those long arms and legs that give him a distinct advantage when rushing the passer. That's it... that's all the positives I have on Ricky.

NEEDS TO IMPROVE

Ricky's defensive lineman techniques are very immature for a senior with as much athletic talent as he has. He does a good job coming off the ball, but will give up pursuit once he lifts his head and sees how far away he is from the play or once his initial rush has been engaged by an offensive lineman. He lacks the energy to tackle a player from behind if he thinks he might not be able to make the tackle before another teammate. Ricky can be handled easily in the run game and, if he is doubled teamed when he is rushing the passer, is satisfied to accept the double team and not fight through it to make a play. He runs around blocks and will leap into the air like Spiderman to get away from a cut block instead of using good techniques and his hands to fend off the blocks and move on with his attack.

BOTTOM LINE

My opinion of Ricky is that he thinks he is a finished product and ready to make a big impact at the next level just by showing up on the field. It obvious with his lack of overall techniques that he does not work at his craft. At the next level, his overall outstanding athletic talent will be overcome by his poor mental stamina, work ethic and on the field maturity. It seems to me that Ricky is in love with his athletic talent and feels that will be enough. The truth is, Ricky was taken off the field a lot in the red zone in obvious run downs. That's not first round talent or prime time talent. Ricky has the talent to be as good as Jason Taylor (LB/DE Miami Dolphins). If fact, when he does make a play, he reminds me a lot of Jason because he has the same size and body type. So that gives you an idea of his potential; however, I don't draft potential in the first three rounds. If you want to turn a team around fast you look for player with quick LTI. Ricky is a long ways away from being a Jason Taylor right now. Just because he has the talent does not mean he will be as good. Draft him and use him as a situational pass rusher who still has a lot to learn with the thought that maybe he will turn into an every down complete DE or OLB/DE sometime in the future makes more sense to me. I'm sure Ricky's workouts will be outstanding and make him a commodity that most teams will want to draft in the first or second round. All I can tell you is that in spite of that athletic talent he shows in his workouts, those talents become average athletic talents once the game begins.

Drew Boylhart 1/10

Drew Boylhart's evaluations are very subjective, but it's always worth reading what he has to say. I take them with a grain of salt because he's either ecstatic or super critical of prospects. But I do agree with some of his comments on Sapp. He reminds me much more of Shawn Crable or Manny Lawson than Jason Taylor right now.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Drew Boylhart's evaluations are very subjective, but it's always worth reading what he has to say. I take them with a grain of salt because he's either ecstatic or super critical of prospects. But I do agree with some of his comments on Sapp. He reminds me much more of Shawn Crable or Manny Lawson than Jason Taylor right now.

I think he is spot on about lifting his head and cooling his jets when the play is going away from him.
He is also spot on about Sapp being taken out of the game in the red zone.

I love the spider man line and that his again very true.

But of all the DE/OLB's in this draft, he is the most sudden and has experience in coverage.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Next year should be equally solid for DE/OLB pass rushers:

- Richard Quinn, North Carolina (junior) - 6'5", 260#, timed in 4.51 speed; former 2 time state wrestling champion, described by his coach as a "player without an ego". Has broken all of Julius Pepper's school speed/strength records for a DE.

- Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh - 6'6" 265# - would have challenged Carlos Dunlap as my top strongside pass rusher this year

- Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma - 6'3", 253#, came to Oklahoma as a LB, makes plays all over the field

- Aldon Smith, Missouri (red shirt sophomore) - 6'6" 255#, defensive freshman of the year in 2009.

- Von Miller, Texas A&M - 6'3" 240#. Led the NCAA with 17 sacks as a junior. Needs to bulk up and get stronger against the run.

I plan to watch Romeus more next season,he could develop into a beast next season.

 

[dryheat44]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I'm completely content to sit tight and draft AJ Edds in the late 2/early 3 range than ignore some pretty good players at other positions (DL, OL, WR) in order to overdraft a flawed OLB because we need pass rush. None of the big pass-rush guys mentioned are interested in stopping the run. None are interested in covering the short zone. They play a straight-line, north-south game against college OTs that aren't talented enough to handle them.

A guy like Edds does his job defending the run and can cover tight ends. I have no doubt that if asked to rush the passer, he can do that also. That's the easy part of playing OLB. Don't get me wrong, it's a very important part, and a game-changing role, but it's the easiest thing for an OLB to do in BBs system. Kind of like the easiest part of a running back's job is running the ball. It's very organic to the position, you can do it on instinct alone, and do it well. We get beat be a lack of pass rush, but we also get beat because we have nobody who can cover the Dallas Clarks and Dustin Kellers that we play, who convert third down after third down.

Brandon Lang out of Troy is another guy who intrigues me and sounds like a good fit on paper, but I've not had the pleasure of seeing him play.

 

[alvinnf]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I'm completely content to sit tight and draft AJ Edds in the late 2/early 3 range than ignore some pretty good players at other positions (DL, OL, WR) in order to overdraft a flawed OLB because we need pass rush. None of the big pass-rush guys mentioned are interested in stopping the run. None are interested in covering the short zone. They play a straight-line, north-south game against college OTs that aren't talented enough to handle them.

A guy like Edds does his job defending the run and can cover tight ends. I have no doubt that if asked to rush the passer, he can do that also. That's the easy part of playing OLB. Don't get me wrong, it's a very important part, and a game-changing role, but it's the easiest thing for an OLB to do in BBs system. Kind of like the easiest part of a running back's job is running the ball. It's very organic to the position, you can do it on instinct alone, and do it well. We get beat be a lack of pass rush, but we also get beat because we have nobody who can cover the Dallas Clarks and Dustin Kellers that we play, who convert third down after third down.

Brandon Lang out of Troy is another guy who intrigues me and sounds like a good fit on paper, but I've not had the pleasure of seeing him play.

In today's NFL if your asking your 34 rush olb to cover TE's your toast....... Pass him off in a zone sure, chuck him and head to the flaring RB fine. That's about it. If covering guys like Dallas Clark is the sole propriety of our OLB, lets just say it's a long day at the office.